NORMAL, Ill. – The home run was the story of the game Wednesday afternoon as Northern Illinois defeated Illinois State 6-3 in eight innings at Marian Kneer Stadium. It was ISU's first extra-inning loss in four games this season.
Playing their first midweek game of the season, the Redbirds received solid pitching from starter, Regan Romshek. The junior breezed through the first two innings, giving up no hits and allowing just two baserunners, both via a walk.
In the bottom of the second inning, ISU got on the board first, courtesy of a Payton Billups solo home run. The homer was Billups fourth of the season and gave ISU a 1-0 advantage.
However, in the top of the third the Huskies answered back with a home run of their own. Kali Kossakowski belted a two-run blast that gave NIU its first lead of the day. Back and forth the two went, though, as ISU retook the lead in the bottom of the frame.
Once again, it was the home run that put ISU in the lead, this time off the bat of Romshek. A no-doubter to left, Romshek's homer drove in Annie Heineman to make it 3-2 ISU. It was Romshek's eighth home run of the season and extended her hitting streak to seven games.
In the top of the fourth, NIU tied the game with a solo home run from Alaynie Woollard.
With the score tied at three, ISU threatened in the sixth inning. After Kelsey Turczyn reached base, Kara Repp sent a two-out double to centerfield that hit the base of the fence. Turczyn attempted to score from first, but NIU nabbed her at the plate with a perfect relay.
The out ended the threat and the inning and kept the game tied at three. In the top of the seventh, the Huskies moved the tying run over to third, but Romshek worked her way out of the inning.
ISU threatened once again, in the bottom of the seventh. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Stephanie Gallant grounded into an inning-ending double play that forced extra innings.
Lightning struck twice as Woollard left the yard for a second time, hitting a three-run homer to give NIU a 6-3 lead. The Redbirds' rally in the bottom of the frame was not enough and NIU picked up its 13th win of the season.
ISU falls to 13-18 on the season. Romshek went seven innings, allowing eight hits, five earned runs and struck out eight batters.
Romshek and Billups led the ISU offense, each totaling two hits. Romshek scored a run while driving in two and Billups scored and drove in another. Repp also totaled two hits, finishing 2-4 on the day.
Illinois State will now focus its attention on a weekend series against Evansville. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 12 p.m. with a live audio broadcast available on GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
